Combined effect of blank holding force and forming force on the quality of press-formed paperboard trays

Abstract Press forming is a method to produce packaging products, such as trays or plates from sustainable materials made from renewable resources, for example paperboard. The press forming tools consist of three main tools, the male mould, the female mould and the blank holder. The blank holding force controls the folding of the tray blank into the mould cavity. In the forming process, the tray flange is flattened by applying high force on the material between the female mould and the blank holder. This paper focuses on the combined effect of blank holding force and forming force on the quality of the formed products. A series of converting tests was performed and the products were analyzed to see the effect of the parameters. The results show that these forces have a high impact on the quality of the formed product, and can act as a guideline to define the required force in press forming machinery design.